The purpose of the Economic and Workforce Development (EWD) Program is to advance the state's economic growth and global competitiveness through education, training, and services. These are designed to contribute to continuous workforce improvement, technology deployment and business development consistent with the state's regional economies.

The role of community colleges in this effort is to fulfill the workforce training needs of California business and industry through leadership, communication, and liaisons with the private sector as well as with public sector education and training providers.

Doing What MATTERS for jobs and the economy is a four-pronged framework to respond to the call of our nation, state, and regions to close the skills gap. The four prongs are:

- Give Priority for jobs and the economy
- Make Room for jobs and the economy
- Promote Student Success
- Innovate for jobs and the economy